AArdvark's Snowblower project

AArdvark · Post by **AArdvark** » Tue Feb 01, 2011 7:37 pm

In response to the major snowstorm America is experiencing I have decided to add a snowblower to my vast arsenal of snow removing equipment ( currently (1) one long handled shovel.)

This thread will capture the magic of snow blower refurbishment for the world to see!

This is the project specimen.

Hmmm, looks like someone tried to use it as a roto-tiller.

Wow, that can't be good

Looks like it's been occupied for a while also

And the electric start plug has been rigged with an extension cord. Not too cool when it's right next to the gas tank.

First thing I did was to pull the engine. That's in good shape. I understand it even runs. of course there's always one bolt that's impossible to access. It must be a manufacturing law or something.

Drain out the oil. Don't want that making a mess.

Luckily, this engine is almost exactly the same as my last snowblower. This one has all the covers and stuff. YAY!

AArdvark · Post by **AArdvark** » Wed Feb 16, 2011 4:20 am

Craigslist has a dearth of usable snowblower bodies in my price range.

Ice Cream Jonsey · Post by **Ice Cream Jonsey** » Fri Feb 18, 2011 8:09 pm

Hey, I am going to be in New York before too long. I keep forgetting to write you an e-mail. Da King and/or Jethro didn't contact you, did they?

AArdvark · Post by **AArdvark** » Fri Feb 18, 2011 8:22 pm

First I've heard of it. If you post on Groucho there might be an offside chance that everyone will see it. Better off posting a private message to everyone on Facebook, America's BBS. What festivities are being planned? Sure wish Strong museum would drag out their videogames again. It's Tinkertoys now instead of Legos, Hoo-boy! Would settle for Japanese Bomberman and beers, tho.

AArdvark · Post by **AArdvark** » Fri Feb 18, 2011 8:24 pm

Update: Found a Bolens 26 inch cut with a good motor (needs a carburetor) for fifty bucks. Will post pix when it arrives.

THE
OLD MAN WINTER
IS GOING DOWN!
AARDVARK

jack strawa · Post by **jack strawa** » Fri Feb 18, 2011 11:43 pm

Don't tell me you're giving up on the old heap!

Also: You posted at 4:20 am. huhuhghuhjghghhghgghghgg

AArdvark · Post by **AArdvark** » Sat Feb 19, 2011 6:42 am

Between the two non-working machines I can come up with a decent working one, no problem. I'm sure it has more than just a missing carburetor. Those engines are notorious for crank arm failures. That's what happened to my last two 8 horse Techumseh engines. It's like that 'untested' floppy disc on Ebay thing. Joe yard-junk salesman knows it will never run but doesn't want to let on he knows.

Don't know about the time thing as I went to bed around eleven last night. Something about Greenwich mean time that messes with the local posting time. Or that this BBS is set to the mountain time zone for some reason.

THE
WHERE IN THE WORLD
IS CARMEN SANTI
AARDVARK

AArdvark · Post by **AArdvark** » Mon Feb 21, 2011 3:42 pm

Here it is, Almost an exact model of my last snowblower. Engine looks solid hopefully now I'll have two working motors. Backup is good!

Body is in good shape also. When it unfreezes I will know more.

Look! This still has the handlebar warmers! Gonna make them suckers work this time!

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Feb 21, 2011 9:49 pm

schaweet

Ice Cream Jonsey · Post by **Ice Cream Jonsey** » Tue Feb 22, 2011 12:25 am

When you say it was occupied.... was that rats? Did it have rats?

AArdvark · Post by **AArdvark** » Tue Feb 22, 2011 4:13 am

Some nesting animal. I assumed field mice as that was where it had been stored. It was un occupied by the time I got it.

Flack · Post by **Flack** » Tue Feb 22, 2011 7:42 am

I just wanted to say that I have never physically touched a snow blower, nor do I know anyone who owns one. It looks like a rototiller. I was expecting something that looked more like a leaf blower. Regardless, I look forward to the results!

AArdvark · Post by **AArdvark** » Tue Feb 22, 2011 4:09 pm

I could have sworn I saw AT-ATs in your snow infested yard. Never touched a snow blower with accumulation like that?

'You must be braver than I thought.'

--Princes Leia

THE
GOTTA GET ONE
AARDVARK

js · Post by js » Tue Feb 22, 2011 8:37 pm

I gotta get one too. At first I thought I was slick with the tire chains and snow blade on the lawn tractor but in reality you feel pretty stupid out there pushing the same bit of snow back and forth.. give me a plain ol shovel any day

where it's at is the snowblowers on the front of the tractor, yeah baby

AArdvark · Post by **AArdvark** » Thu Feb 24, 2011 6:51 pm

Spent some quality time in the basement tonight.

First, a look at all the necessary tools.

Next disassemble the engine and have a look

ugh. get some carb cleaner on that and let it soak.

One hour later (with a little elbow grease)

Could eat fried spam out of that sucker.

THE
BUT STILL NOT LIKE IT
AARDVARK

AArdvark · Post by **AArdvark** » Fri Feb 25, 2011 1:57 pm

Sure would be nice to have that together and working right now.

AArdvark · Post by **AArdvark** » Sun Feb 27, 2011 2:29 pm

OK, motor is on the beast and started right up. Did a 30 second test run and discovered the need for new belts. Also have to tweak the carb a little bit. No stable idle yet. After I am triple sure I won't need it again (maybe mid-April at this rate) I'll take it apart again and start the restoration. here's video of my last snowlower for comparison.

This was two or three years ago.
[youtube][/youtube]

AArdvark · Post by **AArdvark** » Sun Mar 06, 2011 1:19 pm

See! SEE! I knew better than to take the engine off the beast again. I was all set because I figured that winter was done. Glad that I resisted the urge.

Test run #2 went pretty good. Belts are slipping and squealing like a pR0n video, but I knew that already. The idle problem is caused by the spring linkage not being loose enough (too much rust) Which I will fix later this week. Electric start is cool! Never had that before. I will steal an industrial start button from work and install it.

Oh yeah, I decided on a name:

---The SnowVark 2000---

Tdarcos · Post by **Tdarcos** » Mon Mar 07, 2011 6:08 pm

AArdvark wrote:

Could eat fried spam out of that sucker

I don't know why, but it reminded me of Tom Servo from Mystery Science Theatre 3000

Tdarcos · Post by **Tdarcos** » Mon Mar 07, 2011 6:17 pm

AArdvark wrote: I'll take it apart again and start the restoration. here's video of my last snowlower for comparison.

This was two or three years ago.

Your scene reminded me exactly of the scene where they introduce the eponymous star of the movie "The Big Bus". I remember going to the theatre when it came out. Coincidentally (if you notice the destination plate on the bus, it says "Non-Stop New York to Denver") I was in Denver when the movie came out. I even saw the bus, it was at the Los Angeles Trailways station when I was traveling to Denver. The station scene at the opening of the movie, (supposedly in New York, does not appear in this clip) was filmed there.

This was from thirty-three or thirty-four years ago.
[youtube][/youtube]

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